Chai-Spiced Star Bread
My chai star bread is great for potlucks or parties because it's easy to share and looks beautiful. Prepare it ahead of time, refrigerate, then just pop it in the oven before serving. Try using this recipe with other fruits, too, like persimmons or apples. —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
Cheesy Cajun Cornbread Biscotti
This cookie is our best seller at our Christmas cookie bazaar. Everyone requests this tasty biscotti every year. It's simple but very delicious. I will also serve it year-round alongside a meal as an appetizer. —Paula Marchesi, Auburn, Pennsylvania
Sundae Funday Bark
Any occasion is the right time to serve this easy-to-make bark. The fruits—packed with flavor but not overly sweet—go so well with the white candy base. A dark chocolate drizzle adds a lot of fun. —Kim Banick, Turner, OR
Pumpkin Fudge
Each one of these creamy, heartwarming treats is like a bite-sized pumpkin pie. —Kathleen Henne, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Pumpkin Bread with Nutella Swirl
A family favorite during the holidays! It's easy, flavorful and reminds me of the Nutella sandwiches from childhood. One bite and you know the holidays are near.—Elizabeth Curcio, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Maple Syrup Pie
Folks in New Hampshire apparently appreciate maple syrup almost as much as we do in Vermont. When my husband and I took a road trip through New Hampshire, we discovered this pie at a number of diners and restaurants. We loved it so much we created our own version. —Laurie Herr, Westford, Vermont
Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting
My mom and I bought a jar of cookie butter to try it out, and we fell in love with it. I knew the flavor would go well with maple syrup and pecans, so I came up with this cake. If you like, make a pretty design on top of the cake with pecan halves. —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland
Meringue-Topped Pecan Custard Pie
I only use this recipe on special occasions. It's an amazing variation on the pecan pie everyone knows—the filling is a custardy delight, and the meringue gives the whole thing a lightness that's the perfect ending to a multi-course feast. —Therese Asche, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Pressure-Cooker Pumpkin Flans
This silky, smooth dessert captures the essence and elegance of fall. I came up with the recipe myself, aiming to make something both luscious and light. —Charles Insler, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cranberry-Orange Tiramisu
The holiday version of tiramisu trades the Amaretto and coffee notes of the traditional dessert for the bright, seasonal flavors of cranberries and orange. The combination of orange liqueur and Marsala wine make this a delicious, potent meal-ender. —Jerry Gulley, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Chambord Cream
I love serving this for holiday get-togethers because it's festive, easy to make and is a great way to incorporate fruit in a buffet type setting. I also serve it frequently as a light dessert. Chambord often can be found at your local liquor store in small airplane-sized bottles, which work great for this. During the Christmas season, I always like to include starfruit to make it even more festive. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Pumpkin Pie Tartlets with Maple Pecan Crust
After discovering I had multiple food sensitivities, I began developing holiday recipes that would be safe for me, but enjoyable for others, too. These tarts are delicious—with no gluten, eggs or dairy! —Chantale Michaud, Guelph, Ontario
Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding
Nothing says the holidays to me than the warming spices of chai. This bread pudding incorporates those flavors to make a dessert that everyone raves about. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California
Cinnamon Roll Macarons
These macarons are a winter/fall staple for me—inspired by the classic cinnamon roll, they are a delicious treat for a cold or snowy day. These pair well with a mug of tea, and can be eaten as a dessert or just a snack. Other fillings would taste great with this—custard, mousse, ganache, or other buttercream. —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
Spiced Cranberry Crisp Cake
This cake is a cross between a fruit crisp and a moist cake. We love the festive cranberry filling with its sweet-tangy flavor and the combination of soft cake, tender fruit and crunchy topping. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Olive Oil Cake
A good olive oil cake isn't overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or afternoon snack as it can be a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Mincemeat Cookie Bars
My daughter won the grand champion title at the Alaska State Fair with these bars when she was 10. The topping is delicious but a bit crumbly; for neatly edged cookies, freeze before cutting. —Mary Bohanan, Sparks, Nevada
Butter Pecan Ice Cream Torte
A simple nut crust and smooth caramel sauce are all the preparation required for this impressive dessert. Be sure to start making it at least 12 hours before serving. It will keep in the freezer for one month—just be sure to wrap tightly so there are no air leaks! —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona
Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll
Come home to the heavenly aroma of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls! This better-for-you version tastes just as decadent as a regular cinnamon roll, but it smartly sneaks in some whole grains. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Cookie Crust Deep-Dish Apple Pie
One of my favorite make-and-take desserts, this deep-dish pie is based on an old Hungarian recipe that's popular in this part of Ohio. The easy cookie crust is the best part. —Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
French Toast Spirals
These little spiral cookies taste just like French toast. They're not too sweet, and they're pretty enough for a Christmas cookie plate. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Cranberry Amaretto Bread Pudding
This is an update to a recipe that's been in our family for three generations. The combination of white chocolate and amaretto mingled with seasonal cranberry is a favorite way to end any celebration's meal. —Jennifer Evans DaCastello, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Apple Stack Cake
My mom loved to bake this sky-high apple stack cake. Layer the apple goodness two days before serving. Later, a dusting of confectioners' sugar is the only topping you'll need. —LeVa Clement, Jackson, Missouri
Pear Gruyere Pie
I love cheese and fruit, so this pie is a natural pairing for me. Sweet and spicy wine-poached pears and a flaky, buttery cheese crust make for a winning dessert you’ll want to make again and again. If you’re serving this for Thanksgiving, bake leaf-shaped pie pastry on top for a festive look. —Alexandra Penfold, Brooklyn, New York
Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Ice Cream
Everyone loves a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake, so we decided to make a cool and creamy ice-cream version. We're thrilled with the result. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pear & Maple Cream Pavlova
Delicate and creamy, this pear-topped pavlova makes an elegant dessert for company. I prepare the filling using the maple syrup I buy from a local farm.—Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan
Ginger Buttermilk Biscuits
After we had cinnamon-topped biscuits at a restaurant, I came up with my own version at home. I keep crystallized ginger on hand so I can whip up a batch at a moment’s notice!—Rebecca Littlejohn, Vista, Califiornia
Sweet Potato & Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake
I make a sweet potato souffle that I’ve always thought tastes like a dessert. I finally decided to use that idea for an actual dessert, and the result was a smooth, rich cheesecake.
Pumpkin Icebox Cake
This tube cake is a fun, simple way to make a quick dessert. Pumpkin, chocolate and spice are very nice. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Mincemeat-Filled Braid
Mincemeat has gotten such a bad rap over the years. Raisins, currants and other dried fruit, richly spiced and soaked in brandy…what's wrong with that? My family and I love it tucked inside this gorgeous-looking bread. It's perfect for breakfast or with dinner. —Loraine Steinfort, Shelbyville, Indiana
Pumpkin Sage Beurre Noisette Cookies
In a world of pumpkin spice flavor, these fluffy cookies are my top choice. The infusion of fresh sage gives them a surprising savory note. You can use mashed sweet potatoes or yams instead of the pumpkin if you prefer. —Jill LeMasters, Ravenna, Ohio
Brandied Apricot Tart
Canned apricots make this golden, buttery tart a wonderful option any time of year. I brush them with preserves and brandy, then sprinkle on almonds for a bit of crunch. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Miniature Pumpkin Cake Towers
I make these pumpkin treats every autumn and they are gone in minutes. The spice combination is perfect for fall, and it is all wrapped up in a pretty little cake.—Deb Lyon, Bangor, Pennsylvania
Nut Fruit Bark
Here's a sophisticated version of fruit bark. Dark chocolate turns into a rich mocha flavor with the espresso powder. If you're a fan of sweet-salty tidbits, make sure to use the sea salt. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Cranberry Port Cookies
This is my version of a recipe I tasted years ago—my family loves it. The flaky cookies are filled with a scrumptious combination of dried cranberries, cinnamon, lemon and a hint of port wine. —Leslie Forte, Oakhill, Virginia
Pumpkin Pecan Sundaes
My family enjoys anything with pumpkin so I knew this recipe would be well-received. Butter pecan ice cream is a perfect partner for the spiced pumpkin sauce.—Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, Indiana
Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream Puffs
This extraordinary dessert showcases homemade pumpkin ice cream and cream puffs. The effort is worthwhile...and you can make the parts ahead of time for easy assembly later.—Richard Lasher, Stuarts Draft, Virginia
Cranberry Lime Macaroons
It wouldn’t be the holidays for my family and friends if I didn’t make these chewy lime-flavored macaroons. I usually make several batches a week during the season..—Alisa Costa, Chatham, New York
Apple Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes
Cornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative from the typical pineapple and cherries.—Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington
Pumpkin Pecan Whoopie Pies
These whoopie pies are chock-full of pumpkin flavor—a perfect treat for fall! For a finishing touch, I like to roll the outside edges in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts and dust with cinnamon sugar. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Frosted Butter Rum Brickle Bites
The rum, real butter and toffee bits made these cookies my husband’s new favorite. If you’d like them less sweet, skip the frosting and sprinkle the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while still warm. —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan
Sweet Potato-Gingerbread Meringue Pie
This delicious pie showcases gingerbread flavor in the meringue instead of the crust. Baking it on the bottom rack gets the crust nice and crisp without par-baking it. —Shannon Roum, Food Stylist, Taste of Home
Carrot Honey Loaf
As a busy health-care professional and mom, one of the most meaningful gifts I give to the people I love is my time and skills in the kitchen. I have been baking since I was 7 years old and while I still am an avid baker, raising three children, caring for three dogs and working full-time leaves me with little energy! My family appreciates all my efforts and this is a favorite extra "gift" I give people for special events like a housewarming or welcoming a new baby. It is especially good toasted with butter. —Krystal Horudko, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Baklava Thumbprint Cookies
The topping on my sister-in-law's peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe, then decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It's a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware
Cardamom Pumpkin Pudding Cake
This no-egg cake is quick, easy and bursting with flavor. I like to serve it with ice cream or whipped cream. —J. Fleming, Almonte, Ontario
RumChata Cheesecake
I like to experiment and make new and unusual-flavored cheesecakes. When I tried RumChata at a friend's party, I knew it would make a great cheesecake. For a pretty presentation, drizzle it with caramel syrup or topping or toasted coconut. —Christine Talley, Hillsboro, Missouri
Cinnamon Chip Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles
I love cinnamon chips and am always looking for a way to use them. Make sure to stock up on them during the holiday season so you have plenty to last during the year. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Monkey Bread
Time to give rum cake a little competition! If this boozy take on monkey bread is too strong for your taste, cut back on the bourbon or use milk as a non-alcoholic substitute. —James Schend, Taste of Home Food Editor
Apple-Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake
We love the combination of classic fall fruits in this cake. I bake the apples on the bottom to keep them plump and moist, then flip the cake so they're on top. This is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, but we enjoy digging in any time of day. —Christina Yahraes, San Francisco, California
Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme
I made these for an office party cookie contest—and not a crumb was left on the platter! Sweet potatoes are the secret ingredient. Canned sweet potatoes will work, too, if you're short on time. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Hazelnut Date Pumpkin Bread
In the fall when the leaves are changing, baking fever takes over. This tender pumpkin bread will make your home smell delicious. The crunchy hazelnuts and sweet dates make it feel extra special. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Bourbon-Soaked Bacon and Ginger Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The bourbon-soaked bacon adds a smoky, savory, bold taste to normal cinnamon rolls. The ginger and pecan topping makes for a crunchy, spicy finish. —Shannen Casey, Berkeley, California
Coconut, Lime and Pistachio Cookies
Perfect for freezing, these cookies look like Christmas but taste like summer. —Barbara Crusan, Pass Christian, Mississippi
Olive Oil Cake
A good olive oil cake isn't overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or afternoon snack as it can be a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Coconut Orange Slice Cookies
This is a family recipe that was handed down to me. The coconut and orange combination gives them a distinctive taste unlike any other cookie I've had. They're perfect for Christmas! —Patricia Ann Stickler, Durand, Michigan
The post 56 Fall Desserts You Probably Haven’t Made Yet (But Definitely Should) appeared first on Taste of Home.
Caroline Stanko